Transparent

Openness drives mission. Social change organizations that operate transparently build trust with their stakeholders, which helps advance their mission.

Consider the personal qualities that distinguish a trustworthy friend from one who is less reliable. People we trust are more honest, modest, forthcoming, and willing to discuss difficult topics, including their own mistakes and shortcomings.

So, too, with foundations and nonprofits. When you are truly open about governance, finances, investments, HR policies, partnerships, your grantmaking processes and programmatic performance, you help grow a culture of trust and transparency. And that, in turn, helps you achieve your goals.

According to the Glasspockets.org, a Foundation Center initiative and Communication Network partner that champions philanthropic openness in an online world, transparency:

Strengthens credibility

Increases public trust

Improves relationships with constituencies and regions served

Reduces duplication of effort among organizations who care about the same issues

Voices

Foundations need to share their information more easily and freely. It also helps if they pay for general funds for the communication needs of grantees and budget communication into their programs.Program LeaderNonprofit

It's important to distinguish between strategic communication and PR. Some communication really can advance a cause and some is more focused on recognition. Foundations are often not very good at being honest about the difference.Program LeaderPrivate Foundation

With public funds, the public has the right to know what the organization is doing with those funds.Executive LeaderNonprofit

our positionMore people than ever understand the value of strategic communication.

The research gathered during the Communication Matters project, and shared in
this website, reflects a broad consensus that communications must be embraced as
an integral strategy for every organization seeking to advance social change.

We now believe the main challenge underlying the lack of effective communications
at many organizations is no longer about getting the importance of communications.
The opportunity lies in doing more effective communications.

methodology

From the outset of the Communication Matters project our objective was to cast a wide net and collect as many informed opinions as possible. We achieved this goal in several ways:

Formed an advisory group of communication professionals from private foundations, community foundations and nonprofits

Put out a call through the Network for “best in class” examples

Searched and reviewed the literature

Facilitated two online forums, one with communication professionals and one with program professionals

Broadly disseminated an online survey, with special outreach to CEOs, executive directors and program leaders